October 28–29, 2011

The inaugural NWE will launch with a National Grand Tasting at the Newseum, Washington, D.C.'s newest and most interactive museum. The event will showcase American wine from every region of the U.S., cool jazz and American regional cuisine created and inspired by internationally acclaimed chef Wolfgang Puck. In 2011, the NWE will add a daytime Walk-Around Grand Tasting, which will feature more wineries, specialty food vendors, wine and food pairings, seminars and special privileges for the trade.

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Wine Excursion™ Event Schedule

All events will be held in the Culinary Village at Historic Tredegar presented by Richmond magazine. Also, the Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tastings will be held under large, temperature-controlled tents, so weather will not be a concern.

Each attendee receives a beautiful, Riedel crystal wine glass.

Friday, October 28, 2011

EVENT

TIME

Discovering Portugal with Bartholomew Broadbent

Portugal has long been an enchanting land with a tradition of producing world class Ports and Madeiras. As a result of its diverse geography and better winemaking, the nation has recently seen its dry red wines emerge on the world stage. The most prominent emerging wine region in Portugal is the Douro, which is producing superb, high-quality red wines, often at good values. The Douro’s terroir, terraced vineyards that grace the steep slopes that line the banks of the Douro river, and unusual soil composition, granite and schist, produce wines with complex and distinct flavors. Join Bartholomew Broadbent, a world-class importer, as he educates you on the extraordinary wines of Portugal.

FEATURED WINES

Broadbent Vinho Verde NV, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Quinta do Crasto Douro White 2010, Douro, Portugal

Quinta do Crasto Douro Red 2009, Douro, Portugal

Casa Ferreinha Vinha Grande Red 2008, Douro, Portugal

Ferreira Dona Antonia Personal Reserve Port NV, Douro, Portugal

Broadbent 5-Year Madeira

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

EVENT

TIME

Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy a wine excursion around the world as you taste wines from over 12 countries with your commemorative Riedel crystal wine glass. Hundreds of wines will be served from the New and Old World, including, but not limited to, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, Germany, California, Chile, and more. In most cases, wines will be poured by representatives of the wineries, who are in the best position to enlighten you about their unique characteristics.

Some of the biggest brands and hottest names in the wine world will be available to sample. Also, educate and surprise yourself as you discover new wines and grape varietals from regions of the world with which you may not be familiar.

Please note that this is a wine tasting and not a dinner event. Although there will be some exhibitors giving out samples of food, we recommend without reservation that you have a meal before entering the tasting. Alternatively, for your convenience, there will be kiosks selling small plates of globally inspired cuisine in the Culinary Village, which will be easily accessible during the Grand Tasting. Also, complimentary crackers and water will be available throughout the Pavilions to cleanse your palate.

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

First-Class Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Going First Class at the RIWE means that you get to enter the Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting with a limited number of VIPs and the trade an hour earlier than General Admission ticket holders. This one-hour head start gives you the luxury of more face time with the wine representatives on the floor and a mellower vibe than the three hours that follow.

6:00 pm

General Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy three joyous hours of tasting great wine from around the world.

7:00 pm

Saturday, October 29, 2011

EVENT

TIME

Farm-to-Table Locavore Luncheon

Enjoy a spectacular lunch highlighting sumptuous, locally sourced cuisine paired with delicious wine from Washington State and around the world provided by St. Michelle Wine Estates.

Note: This grazing luncheon is a multi-winery, multi-dish wine and food excursion, where guests browse from tasting station to tasting station while enjoying wines paired with each dish. This event will be held in the Wine Garden in the Culinary Village at Historic Tredegar.

The original Mosaic Café & Catering opened in 1997 with the mission to effectively nourish body and soul while preserving the highest level of quality and value. Since then, this local favorite has established a successful presence in Richmond, Suffolk and Charleston, South Carolina.The upscale atmosphere of eclectic world cuisine is designed to provide healthy fare in a casual, full service environment. Their focus on local, seasonable and sustainable cuisine has provided a platform for Mosaic to excel in the communities they serve.

The JSR Center for Culinary Arts, Tourism & Hospitality strives to continuously produce opportunities whereby new students and professionals alike can foster their success in the restaurant, commercial, and non-commercial food service industries. This combination of expert faculty, modern facilities and equipment, and state-of-the-art technology enables students to gain a comprehensive understanding of food and beverages, as well as master the practical techniques requisite for continued excellence in the hospitality industries. The Culinary Arts program is consistently involved in community events, projects and activities and is excited to contribute to the Locavore Luncheon's menu with local, seasonable and wordly cusine.

Selba’s mission is to honor the food that is served and the oldest of traditions…the meal. They promise to make it as healthy and flavorful as possible, and to serve you in an atmosphere that makes you comfortable and happy. They will use mostly fresh, natural ingredients, most of which is bought from local and regional farmers. They will tell you what is in the food you eat, and where it came from. In short, they believe that you should get to know your food. Join them at the Locavore Luncheon to fully experience a meal with Selba.

12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy a wine excursion around the world as you taste wines from over 12 countries with your commemorative Riedel crystal wine glass. Hundreds of wines will be served from the New and Old World, including, but not limited to, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, Germany, California, Chile, and more. In most cases, wines will be poured by representatives of the wineries, who are in the best position to enlighten you about their unique characteristics.

Some of the biggest brands and hottest names in the wine world will be available to sample. Also, educate and surprise yourself as you discover new wines and grape varietals from regions of the world with which you may not be familiar.

Please note that this is a wine tasting and not a dinner event. Although there will be some exhibitors giving out samples of food, we recommend without reservation that you have a meal before entering the tasting. Alternatively, for your convenience, there will be kiosks selling small plates of globally inspired cuisine in the Culinary Village, which will be easily accessible during the Grand Tasting. Also, complimentary crackers and water will be available throughout the Pavilions to cleanse your palate.

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

First-Class Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Going First Class at the RIWE means that you get to enter the Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting with a limited number of VIPs and the trade an hour earlier than General Admission ticket holders. This one-hour head start gives you the luxury of more face time with the wine representatives on the floor and a mellower vibe than the three hours that follow.

1:00 pm

General Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy three joyous hours of tasting great wine from around the world.

2:00 pm

EVENT

TIME

Wine and Cheese Together: From Pratfalls to Pleasure

This hour-long seminar is a practical exercise in evaluating the "pleasure" factor in wine and cheese pairings. Its goal is that participants come away with useful guidelines on how to achieve successful wine and cheese matches for home entertaining and dining out. Multiple selections of fine wine and cheese will be tasted. Cheese provided by Whole Foods Market.

Bob Talcott is Wine Director at Richmond's CAN CAN Brasserie in Carytown. As an Advanced Sommelier member of the Guild of Master Sommeliers, Bob is eligible to stand for the Court of Master Sommeliers' final examination.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

EVENT

TIME

Discover Eight Classic Grape Varietals from St. Michelle Wine Estates

Join St. Michelle Wine Estates National Wine Educator, George A. Foote, for a seminar describing and tasting eight of the classic grape varietals: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris/Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. The discussion will encompass areas of production and styles of wines that come from these notable grape varieties. The tasting will offer eight wines from St. Michelle Wine Estates extensive portfolio from the growing areas of Washington, Napa, Oregon, and New Zealand, along with discussion of each wine.

4:30 pm - 5:30 pm

EVENT

TIME

Spain: the Excitement, the Glamour, the Allure

Spain’s wine industry is undergoing a brilliant explosion in quality and diversity that is unprecedented in the history of wine. Wine has been woven into the fabric of Spain’s culture, commerce, and cuisine for millennia. But the wave of new wines emanating from all corners of Spain has landed Spain clearly front and center on the world stage. From the traditional to the visionary the wines are rich and lively, crafted in a style uniquely Spanish. Come join us for an exciting and informative look and taste of the wonderful wines that define Spain as one of the most exciting wine region in the world today. We will explain the new wines, describe the regions and taste what all the excitement is about. Complimentary tapas will be served during the seminar.

This seminar will be led by Carol Colby. Carol Colby is a Fine Wine Specialist for Republic National Distributing Co. Carol has a passion for wine and for food and wine together. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine as well as a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and a guide member of the Court of Master Sommeliers. Carol is Vice Echanson for the Richmond Bailliage of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. She has appeared numerous times on local television to share her passion of all things wine related. Carol is also the resident wine instructor at Mise En Place Cooking School in Richmond. Her greatest joy is the excitement and pleasure to be found in sharing the wonders of wine with others.

6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

EVENT

TIME

Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy a wine excursion around the world as you taste wines from over 12 countries with your commemorative Riedel crystal wine glass. Hundreds of wines will be served from the New and Old World, including, but not limited to, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, South Africa, Greece, New Zealand, Germany, California, Chile, and more. In most cases, wines will be poured by representatives of the wineries, who are in the best position to enlighten you about their unique characteristics.

Some of the biggest brands and hottest names in the wine world will be available to sample. Also, educate and surprise yourself as you discover new wines and grape varietals from regions of the world with which you may not be familiar.

Please note that this is a wine tasting and not a dinner event. Although there will be some exhibitors giving out samples of food, we recommend without reservation that you have a meal before entering the tasting. Alternatively, for your convenience, there will be kiosks selling small plates of globally inspired cuisine in the Culinary Village, which will be easily accessible during the Grand Tasting. Also, complimentary crackers and water will be available throughout the Pavilions to cleanse your palate.

6:00 pm - 10:00 pm

First-Class Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Going First Class at the RIWE means that you get to enter the Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting with a limited number of VIPs and the trade an hour earlier than General Admission ticket holders. This one-hour head start gives you the luxury of more face time with the wine representatives on the floor and a mellower vibe than the three hours that follow.

6:00 pm

General Admission to Lexus of Richmond Walk-Around Grand Tasting

Enjoy three joyous hours of tasting great wine from around the world.

7:00 pm

*Advance tickets will only be available for sale on this website. Tickets will be available at the door unless sold out.